After losing its fleet of F-16 fighter jets to budget cuts in 2005, Ellington rebounded with a $100 million construction project, a variety of new missions and thousands of additional jobs.

Photo: Pin Lim, Houston Chronicle

After losing its fleet of F-16 fighter jets to budget cuts in 2005,...

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KC135 greets visitors at the main entrance of Ellington Field. The field behind the icon will be the future site of the Aerospace museum. Photo by Pin Lim.

Photo: Pin Lim, Houston Chronicle

KC135 greets visitors at the main entrance of Ellington Field. The...

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Ellington Field is also a designated site for military craft stop overs. Photo by Pin Lim.

Photo: Pin Lim, Houston Chronicle

Ellington Field is also a designated site for military craft stop...

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Lt. Col. Jon Elliott and Command Sgt. Maj. Paul Belanger talk along with about the history and progress of Ellington Field while sitting at the Armed Forces Reserve Center at the Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2010, in Houston.

Photo: Michael Paulsen, Houston Chronicle

Lt. Col. Jon Elliott and Command Sgt. Maj. Paul Belanger talk...

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Lt. Col. Jon Elliott, Deputy Division Engineer with the 75th Battle Command Training Division, stands near a customizable power cord hanging from the ceiling in a Reconfigurable Tactical Operations Center in the newly built Battle Command Training Center at the Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2010, in Houston.
Houston's Ellington Field is in the final stages of the largest construction project the former World War I air base has seen in more than 30 years. Completion of the $100 million venture represents a resurrection of sorts for 93-year-old Ellington, which bounced back from the threat of closure five years ago to emerge as a high-tech Joint Reserve Base where Army, Navy, and Marine Reserve units, along with Army and Air National Guard, train and drill for deployments overseas.
A sleek new 28,000 square foot Battle Command Training Center will feature the latest war simulation software, allowing Reserve and Guard troops to train in a virtual environment closer to home. "This new technology will literally save millions in training expenses," said Maj. Gen. Eldon Regua, 75th division commander.

New hangers built by Southwest Ariport Services in Ellington Field. Photo by Pin Lim.

Photo: Pin Lim, Houston Chronicle

New hangers built by Southwest Ariport Services in Ellington Field....

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Dr. Timothy L. Miller, explains the new HIRAD system (Hurricane Imaging Radiometer) which was used during for the first time during Hurricane Earl with the WB-57 (behind him) at Ellington Field, Friday, Sept. 10, 2010, in Houston, as officials with NASA showed off the WB-57, one of three planes that are part of the GRIP hurricane mission. GRIP stands for Genesis and Rapid Intensification Processes.

Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle

Dr. Timothy L. Miller, explains the new HIRAD system (Hurricane...

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United States Coast Guard rescue swimmers Drew Dazzo and Josh Magie pose for a portrait at the Coast Guard's Ellington Field location in Houston.

Brigade General John H.H. Turner, III, is promoted to Deputy Commanding General of the Army Reserve 75th Battle Command Training Division, is pinned by wife Mary Anne Sirotko-Turner during a ceremony at Ellington Field on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011, in Houston. Turner, a West Point graduate and Desert Storm veteran, will receive the promotion from Maj. Gen. Eldon P. Regua, division commander, during a special ceremony at the Armed Forces Reserve Center. The center is one of 11 buildings completed over the last two years during a $100 million construction program. In 2009, the facility supported the 1st ever Army Reserve deployment from Ellington Field to Iraq. Over the last two years reserve forces from the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Army National Guard units have joined existing Coast Guard and Air National Guard units as a result of government construction projects. ( Mayra Beltran / Chronicle )

Photo: Mayra Beltran, Houston Chronicle

Brigade General John H.H. Turner, III, is promoted to Deputy...

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Major General Eldon P. Regua unfolds flag before Brigade General John H.H. Turner, III, is promoted to Deputy Commanding General of the Army Reserve 75th Battle Command Training Division, held at Ellington Field on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011, in Houston. General officers are known as the flag officers because they are authorized an indoor and outdoor personal flags. Turner, a West Point graduate and Desert Storm veteran, will receive the promotion from Maj. Gen. Eldon P. Regua, division commander, during a special ceremony at the Armed Forces Reserve Center. The center is one of 11 buildings completed over the last two years during a $100 million construction program. In 2009, the facility supported the 1st ever Army Reserve deployment from Ellington Field to Iraq. Over the last two years reserve forces from the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Army National Guard units have joined existing Coast Guard and Air National Guard units as a result of government construction projects. ( Mayra Beltran / Chronicle )

Photo: Mayra Beltran, Houston Chronicle

Major General Eldon P. Regua unfolds flag before Brigade General...

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Houston Mayor Annise Parker, center and blue, and Texas Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, laugh as STS-135 commander Chris Ferguson relays stories from their mission as the crew, mission specialist Sandy Magnus, left, mission specialist Rex Walheim, to the right of Hutchison, and pilot Doug Hurley, far right, and their families meet with their elected officials before a welcome home ceremony for the STS-135 crew of the space shuttle Atlantis, the final mission of the NASA shuttle program, at the Ellington Field in Houston on Friday, July 22, 2011.

The crew of STS-135, from left, commander Chris Ferguson, pilot Doug Hurley, and mission specialists Sandy Magnus and Rex Walheim wave to the crowd during a welcome home ceremony for the crew of the space shuttle Atlantis, the final mission of the NASA shuttle program, at Ellington Field in Houston on Friday, July 22, 2011.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool, Houston Chronicle

The crew of STS-135, from left, commander Chris Ferguson, pilot...

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The crowd sings the national anthem during a welcome home ceremony for the crew of the space shuttle Atlantis, the final mission of the NASA shuttle program, at Ellington Field in Houston on Friday, July 22, 2011.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool, Houston Chronicle

The crowd sings the national anthem during a welcome home ceremony...

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A woman holds a sign in support of NASA during a welcome home ceremony for the crew of the space shuttle Atlantis, the final mission of the NASA shuttle program, at Ellington Field in Houston on Friday, July 22, 2011.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool, Houston Chronicle

A woman holds a sign in support of NASA during a welcome home...

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Annabelle Euker gives her handmade signs of congratulations to STS-135 mission specialist Rex Walheim following a welcome home ceremony for the crew of the space shuttle Atlantis, the final mission of the NASA shuttle program, at Ellington Field in Houston on Friday, July 22, 2011.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool, Houston Chronicle

Annabelle Euker gives her handmade signs of congratulations to...

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A large crowd of supporters welcomes home the crew of STS-135 during a ceremony for the crew of the space shuttle Atlantis, the final mission of the NASA shuttle program, at Ellington Field in Houston on Friday, July 22, 2011.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool, Houston Chronicle

A large crowd of supporters welcomes home the crew of STS-135...

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A large crowd of supporters welcomes home the crew of STS-135 during a ceremony for the crew of the space shuttle Atlantis, the final mission of the NASA shuttle program, at Ellington Field in Houston on Friday, July 22, 2011.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool, Houston Chronicle

A large crowd of supporters welcomes home the crew of STS-135...

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Abigal Harding looks up at her boyfriend Marine Cody Wade while waiting in line for a meal at the Armed Forces Reserve Center at Ellington Field.

Photo: Michael Paulsen, Houston Chronicle

Abigal Harding looks up at her boyfriend Marine Cody Wade while...

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Lance Corporal John Norman speaks on his phone as a group of Marines have a photo taken at the Armed Forces Reserve Center at Ellington Field.

Marine Lance Corporal Justin Black plays his guitar before boarding a bus at the Armed Forces Reserve Center at Ellington Field and engaging in pre-deployment training at Camp Pendleton in California Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2010, in Houston. Marines assigned to the 1st Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, also known as the "The Lone Star Battalion", leave for pre-deployment training at Camp Pendleton in California. The group will then deploy early next year in support of the II Marine Expeditionary Force in southwestern Afghanistan.

Marine Lance Corporal Justin Black plays his guitar before boarding a bus at the Armed Forces Reserve Center at Ellington Field and engaging in pre-deployment training at Camp Pendleton in California Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2010, in Houston. Marines assigned to the 1st Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, also known as the "The Lone Star Battalion", leave for pre-deployment training at Camp Pendleton in California. The group will then deploy early next year in support of the II Marine Expeditionary Force in southwestern Afghanistan.

Levi Fox, 7, of Boy Scout Troop 806 holds a sign welcoming the return of the Houston-based 1st Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment to Ellington Field after a seven-month combat tour in Afghanistan, Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011, in Houston. Three-hundred and thirty-seven Marines returned home to Houston to cheers from an estimated 1000 people.

Photo: Michael Paulsen, Houston Chronicle

Levi Fox, 7, of Boy Scout Troop 806 holds a sign welcoming the...

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First Lieutenant Chris Huff (left) consoles Jerry Smith, father of Staff Sgt. Jeremy Smith, 26, who was killed in a friendly fire incident in Afghanistan in April, after the the arrival of the Houston-based 1st Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment to Ellington Field returning from a seven-month combat tour in Afghanistan, Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011, in Houston. Three-hundred and thirty-seven Marines returned home to Houston to cheers from an estimated 1000 people.

Photo: Michael Paulsen, Houston Chronicle

First Lieutenant Chris Huff (left) consoles Jerry Smith, father of...

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Cpl. Michael Gilbert kisses his daughter Kierstin, 1, after the the arrival of the Houston-based 1st Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment to Ellington Field returning from a seven-month combat tour in Afghanistan, Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011, in Houston. Three-hundred and thirty-seven Marines returned home to Houston to cheers from an estimated 1000 people.

Friends and family react to the return of the Houston-based 1st Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment to Ellington Field after a seven-month combat tour in Afghanistan, Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011, in Houston. Three-hundred and thirty-seven Marines returned home to Houston to cheers from an estimated 1000 people.

Photo: Michael Paulsen, Houston Chronicle

Friends and family react to the return of the Houston-based 1st...

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The plane containing 337 Marines from the Houston-based 1st Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment returns home to Ellington Field and to cheers from an estimated 1000 people after a seven-month combat tour in Afghanistan, Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011, in Houston.

Photo: Michael Paulsen, Houston Chronicle

The plane containing 337 Marines from the Houston-based 1st...

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Sgt. Khanh Hoang takes a photo of the crowd as the plane containing 337 Marines from the Houston-based 1st Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment returns home to Ellington Field and to cheers from an estimated 1000 people after a seven-month combat tour in Afghanistan, Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011, in Houston.

Photo: Michael Paulsen, Houston Chronicle

Sgt. Khanh Hoang takes a photo of the crowd as the plane containing...

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Marines are prepped before a plane containing 337 Marines from the Houston-based 1st Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment returned home to Ellington Field and to cheers from an estimated 1000 people after a seven-month combat tour in Afghanistan, Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011, in Houston.

Photo: Michael Paulsen, Houston Chronicle

Marines are prepped before a plane containing 337 Marines from the...

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Staff Sgt. Hunter Sauls with the Texas Air National Guard takes measurements of an unexploded ordnance that was found while taking part in an Explosive Ordnance Reconnaissance training activity at Ellington Field in Houston. Houston's very own explosive ordnance disposal team, is based at Ellington Field.

Photo: Michael Paulsen, Chronicle

Staff Sgt. Hunter Sauls with the Texas Air National Guard takes...

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Tech Sgt. R. Castillo with the Texas Air National Guard (left) and Staff Sgt. Hunter Sauls with the Texas Air National Guard scout the location for an unexploded ordinance while taking part in an Explosive Ordinance Reconnaissance training activity at Ellington Field Sunday, Aug. 8, 2010, in Houston. Houston's very own explosive ordnance disposal team, is based at Ellington Field. The Oscar-winning movie Hurt Locker glamorized the militaryís EOD technicians as crazy-genius adrenaline junkies. Eight Air Guardsmen with Houston's 147th Reconnaissance Wing who deploy to Iraq and Afghanistan to defuse bombs, attend a training session at Ellington Field.

Photo: Michael Paulsen, Chronicle

Tech Sgt. R. Castillo with the Texas Air National Guard (left) and...

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Retired Lt. Col. Ted Wolfram III anxiously waits on family member to walk in front of plane for a family portrait before his flight on the AT-6 Texan at Ellington Field on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011, in Houston. Wolfram used the AT-6 Texan to fly while in the Air force back in 1944. The flight is a gift from his 3 children for his 90th birthday.

Photo: Mayra Beltran, Houston Chronicle

Retired Lt. Col. Ted Wolfram III anxiously waits on family member...

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Retired Lt. Col. Ted Wolfram III embraces wife Barbara Wolfman after landing the AT-6 Texan, the same plane he used to fly while in the Air force back in 1944, at Ellington Field on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2011, in Houston.

Inside a high-tech building at Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base, Texas Air National Guard crews fly Predator drones thousands of miles away in Afghanistan. In another, Army reservists train soldiers in a virtual environment using cutting-edge war simulation software.

After losing its fleet of F-16 fighter jets to budget cuts in 2005, Ellington rebounded with a $100 million construction project, a variety of new missions and thousands of additional jobs. But as the Pentagon prepares to slash defense spending by half a trillion dollars over the next 10 years, Ellington's supporters aren't taking the base's future for granted.

City officials, local business leaders and politicians have teamed up to defend Ellington from two more rounds of base closures proposed by Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta.

Panetta told lawmakers on Capitol Hill last week that the president will ask Congress to authorize the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process in 2013 and 2015.

Advocates say Ellington is better positioned today to survive the cuts thanks to its rebirth as a headquarters for National Guard and Reserve units from all branches of the military. The number of troops stationed at the base has jumped from about 1,500 in 2008 to more than 6,000.

It also doesn't hurt that Ellington's former F-16 fighter pilots and crews now fly drones overseas, putting the old World War I airbase more in step with the military of the future.

"We're guardedly optimistic," said John Martinec, director of Ellington Field Task Force.

'It's not a given'

Formed through the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership, the task force lobbied and testified against the decision to retire Ellington's F-16s in 2005. Ellington lost the jets but gained Navy, Army and Marine Corps Reserve units and the Coast Guard.

Ellington Field is in a much stronger position than it was during the last round of closures, but it will take an active, coordinated effort to ensure the base stays open, said City Councilman Mike Sullivan, whose district includes Ellington.

"It's not a given that it will stay open," Sullivan said. "We cannot assume anything at this point. We have to fight as though we are behind and it is susceptible to closure."

Sullivan has spoken with members of Congress and will ask the city's lobbying team to make sure it is monitoring the situation in D.C.

"We don't just need to be concerned about keeping Ellington here, but we have to grow it, we have to expand there so we can be sure that it's less vulnerable to closure in the future," he said.

City 'well-positioned'

In a best-case scenario, the belt-tightening at the Pentagon might boost Ellington's chances of attracting an active-duty command as other bases close and units relocate.

"Given the new operations and work being done at Ellington and the tremendous resources in the area, I believe Houston is well-positioned to maintain level operations or even improve, depending on how things play out," said U.S. Rep. Pete Olson, R-Sugar Land.

The biggest prize for Ellington would be U.S. Africa Command, now located in Germany.

In a letter sent Dec. 29, acting undersecretary of defense Frank Kendall assured Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, that the Pentagon will consider Ellington fully in future basing decisions, particularly as a possible home for AFRICOM.

"The multiple missions Ellington Field carries out are a testament to its strategic capabilities and the support it receives from the surrounding community," Kendall wrote.

Cornyn, who serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee, believes there is little appetite for another round of base closures, but his office is preparing for the possibility nonetheless.

"I have great pride in Ellington Field and all of our Texas military installations and will be a strong advocate for them as this debate continues," Cornyn said.

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, said it is premature to close domestic installations before the military has cut the large number of overseas bases.

"Texas should be in a good position if and when there is a future BRAC, perhaps even to accept new missions as other installations are closed and those missions are moved to bases that provide greater military value," Hutchison said.